PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frank Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Zangief (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zangief is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by We Own It. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Benoit
vs
Zangief

170 cm
26
152 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
150 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Frank Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Travis Zangief!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zangief shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Benoit pinned against the cage. Benoit gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Zangief gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Benoit to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Benoit trying to control but Zangief is working from the bottom.
Benoit distracts Zangief with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Benoit with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zangief told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Zangief wants to stand and escape but Benoit is having none of it.
Zangief avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Benoit trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benoit throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zangief works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Benoit throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zangief is keeping the position for now.
Benoit is looking to work some ground and pound but Zangief has wrist control.
Benoit working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Benoit has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Benoit passes into half guard.
Benoit thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zangief's head.
Zangief is looking for a sweep. Benoit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benoit prevents Zangief from standing back up.
Ground and pound from Benoit.

Benoit is working for a kimura but Zangief is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit wants to control but Zangief is keeping him busy.
Benoit sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zangief defending well though.
Benoit prevents Zangief from standing back up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Benoit connects with a nice short shot to Zangief's temple.

Benoit is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zangief has managed to free his arm - good work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Benoit connects with a nice short shot to Zangief's temple.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zangief looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zangief is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've been hearing good reports from Benoit's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Zangief is trying is best to control the position here.

Benoit is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Zangief wants to get back to full guard.
Benoit passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Zangief!
Benoit with good strikes from the mount here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit lands with some strikes.

Benoit jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Zangief is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Zangief and Benoit has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Benoit working the ground and pound from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benoit tries to advance to mount but Zangief denies him.
Zangief on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Benoit tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Benoit has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Benoit lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Benoit dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zangief throws a chopping leg kick but Benoit manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zangief slaps away a takedown attempt from Benoit, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Frank Benoit is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benoit with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zangief counters with a head kick. That will keep Benoit thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Benoit looks for a takedown but Zangief sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Benoit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zangief leaves Benoit with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benoit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Benoit throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zangief tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Benoit is in Zangief's guard.
Zangief manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Benoit manages to get himself to full guard.
Zangief trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benoit on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benoit tries to get out of the position.
Zangief tries to free his leg and advance position but Benoit is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zangief trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Travis Zangief wasn't active enough on the ground.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zangief sprawls well. Zangief wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Benoit gets slowly back to his feet.
Benoit throws a leg kick that misses.
Benoit darts in looking for a takedown but Zangief gets double underhooks and turns Benoit into the cage.
Benoit looking for a takedown.
Zangief tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Benoit just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zangief's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benoit looks for a takedown but Zangief sprawls well.
Zangief connects with a high kick.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zangief as he jumps to the side.
Benoit fails to land the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zangief lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zangief displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Benoit.
Zangief stuffs the takedown attempt from Benoit. Benoit gets slowly back to his feet.
Zangief throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zangief misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Benoit scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Benoit seems to be working for a kimura but Zangief defends the submission attempt.
Benoit thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zangief's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Benoit connects with a nice short shot to Zangief's temple.
Zangief pushes Benoit off looking to stand but Benoit dives back in and keeps control.
Frank Benoit overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benoit seems to be working for a kimura but Zangief defends the submission attempt.
Benoit looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zangief is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zangief is trying to stand up here but Benoit is controlling him well.
Zangief avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Benoit.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zangief pushes Benoit off looking to stand but Benoit dives back in and keeps control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benoit looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Travis Zangief will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Benoit's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zangief gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Benoit in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Benoit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zangief is keeping the position for now.
Benoit is looking to work some ground and pound but Zangief has wrist control.
Benoit scoring with some ground and pound.
Zangief preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Benoit working some strikes from top position.
Benoit postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zangief wants to get back to his feet but Benoit is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Benoit wants to control from the top but Zangief keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Benoit throws a big right hand that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zangief holds on and takes a little breather.
Benoit working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Benoit advances position into side control!
Benoit grinds an elbow into Zangief's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benoit wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zangief, who protects the arm well.

Benoit is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zangief is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Benoit tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zangief avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Benoit.
Zangief is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Benoit fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit cracks Zangief with a big elbow.

Benoit thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zangief is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Benoit swings around for an armbar but Zangief sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Benoit's guard.
Zangief trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
Benoit wants to improve his position but instead Zangief has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zangief wants to advance to full mount but Benoit doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Benoit keeping moving, preventing Zangief from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Benoit holds on and takes a little breather.
Benoit wants to improve his position but instead Zangief has moved into half guard.
Zangief prevents Benoit from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zangief not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Benoit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Benoit has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Benoit!
Frank Benoit decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Travis Zangief stepped up to the mic, saying 'Im still in shock,I did my best and I'll come back even stronger'.